The President of the North American States revealed tonight in a
special press conference that Councilman Benjamin Towne (Federal
Isolationist, American Council) was kidnapped from a secret meeting
with Federal Security agents last night in what was described as
the first step in a plan for large-scale invasion of Earth by an
Alien race from another planet. The President reported that one
Alien, believed to be fully telepathic, has been at large in the
country since his landing near Gutenberg, Iowa, last May 26th.
The Alien's presence was first detected by a loyal Psi-High citizen
of Des Moines and was reported immediately to the Federal Security
Commission. Robert R. Roberts, Chief of the FSC, has been active in
directing a nationwide dragnet to capture the Alien.
Councilman Towne left his home last night at 11:00 P.M. in response
to a call ostensibly from Commissioner Roberts. It is believed that
the call was forged by the use of a dummy-film, and the Councilman
was reported missing when he did not return home. The two attachés
who accompanied him apparently have suffered severely from the
encounter with the Alien's telepathic powers, and were unable to be
questioned at the Hoffman Medical Center this morning.
The President made special note of the excellent and selfless work
of certain Psi-High citizens during the past months, in the course
of a manhunt that has been shrouded in secrecy. The Alien's
telepathic powers invariably overcame the efforts of psi-negative
individuals, but through the efforts of the Psi-Highs, Commissioner
Roberts has expressed every hope of ending the search within days
and securing Councilman Towne's release.
Faircloth flipped the page, glancing at the smaller headlines. An
interview with Dr. Abrams reporting the training program for Psi-Highs
in progress at the Hoffman Center; a long article, discussing the value
of Psi-High powers in combatting a ruthless telepathic alien force;
an article by Roberts, very carefully worded, explaining that if one
telepathic Alien had come to Earth, others could be expected. Roberts
expressed the opinion that human psi-positives were the nation's
strongest safeguard against such an invasion.
Faircloth carefully folded the paper and spoke to the driver of the
limousine. The huge car rose at the next tunnel exit, and sped north
along the surface, then rose again. Paul waited, impatiently, and then
stepped out of the car at the given address. Five minutes later he was
holding Jean Sanders in his arms, while Robert Roberts sat chewing a
cigar at the far side of the room, looking vastly pleased with himself.